The Ultimate Guide to High End Restaurants in Nashville
High End Restaurants in Nashville
If you are anything like me, you most likely arrived in Nashville expecting fantastic music and maybe some hot chicken—and let me say, we have plenty of that. The degree to which this city has evolved into a major food lover’s paradise, nevertheless, would astound you.
I have had the opportunity to investigate Nashville’s eating scene outside of the honky-tonks and hole-in–the-wall treasures during the past three years; let me tell you—there is a whole other side to Music City that is refined, sophisticated, and quite wonderful.
I hope you’ll find this blog post helpful, whether your celebration is unique, you are planning a romantic evening, or just in the mood to pamper yourself. These are the eateries that show Nashville’s gastronomic talent to be every bit as robust as its music culture.
Top High End Restaurants in Downtown Nashville
From my experience, there many outstanding restaurants providing great cuisine and ambiance, Downtown Nashville. Music city has evolved into a center for refined dining experiences. These eateries mix the vivid vitality of Nashville’s downtown center with gastronomic brilliance.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Voted Nashville’s Best Steakhouse by The Tennessean, Jeff Ruby’s offers an unmatched gourmet dining experience right in the middle of downtown. To be honest, I’m not surprised. This restaurant is one of my favorites. The enormous stage of the restaurant, luxurious chandeliers, and Art Deco accents produce a sophisticated grandeur. Fresh seafood and sushi complements their nationally praised U.S.D.A. Prime Steaks, and live nightly entertainment enhances the whole experience. I highly recommend it.
Signature Dishes: Bone-in Filet Mignon, Butter Pie, Dolly Roll sushi
Price Range: $$$$ (Entrees $45-$125)
Ambiance: Opulent Art Deco with live entertainment
Yolan
Next, we have Yolan on the list. It is housed within The Joseph hotel, presents a sophisticated Italian dining experience under chef Tony Mantuano, formerly of Chicago’s Michelin-starred Spiaggia. Beginning with fresh bread and ending with delectable sweets from James Beard Award semifinalist Noelle Marchetti, the restaurant’s taste experiences inspire from many parts of Italy. If you ever been to Italy, and fell in love with Fresh Italian food, this restaurant is a must.
Signature Dishes: Regional Italian tasting menus, handmade pasta
Price Range: $$$$ (Five-course tasting menu $325 per person)
Ambiance: Sophisticated modern elegance with open kitchen views
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
Nestled 34 stories above Nashville within the JW Marriott, Bourbon Steak presents amazing city views along with great food. The experience starts with a trademark trio of fries and dips. Honestly, I believe they have the best fries and dips in the whole city of Nashville. My husband and I go there at least once a year. Their Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye ($325) perfectly captures the dedication of the restaurant to superior quality. You simply must try their bourbon creme brulee. It is absolutely divine.
Signature Dishes: Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye, black truffle mac, trio of duck fat fries
Price Range: $$$$ (Steaks $65-$325)
Ambiance: Sophisticated with panoramic city views
Exclusive Tasting Menu Experiences
Furthermore, Nashville provides various great tasting menu options for individuals looking for the ultimate gastronomic excursion that highlight chef technical mastery and inventiveness. These private dining experiences are the height of Nashville’s exclusive restaurant culture.
The Catbird Seat
One of Nashville’s most unusual eating experiences is provided by this little Midtown eatery. Since it is so small, with just 22 diners at a time, reservations must be made weeks in advance. The Catbird Seat arranges the kitchen in the middle of the room so that patrons may observe cooks plate and present the evening’s changing tasting menu. Comprising up to eighteen dishes, this gastronomic adventure highlights creative methods and seasonal foods. It is quite the experience.
Experience Details: Up to 18-course tasting menu
Price: Starting at $185 per person (varies by reservation time)
Reservation Tip: Bookings open 30 days in advance and fill quickly
Bastion
Next on the list is Bastion. It is quite small, with just 24 seats, the reservation-only restaurant side of Wedgewood-Houston provides a personal dining experience. A rotating six-course menu including delicacies like oysters, beef tongue, and duck breast is created by chef Josh Habiger, 2023 James Beard Foundation Award finalist for Best Chef Southeast. To go with the dinner, the space’s private bar creates creative beverages.
Experience Details: Rotating six-course menu
Price: Starting at $125 per person (wine pairing additional)
Atmosphere: Intimate, industrial-chic setting
Nashville’s Premier Steakhouses
Let’s take a look at Nashville’s premier steakhouses. Some of the restaurants on the list, I’ve already introduced. Thus, we won’t spend too much time going over them. High-end steakhouse scene in Nashville provides great cuts of meat, first-rate service, and sophisticated ambiance. These restaurants present complete dining experiences and have refined the art of steak cooking.
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
Beyond only its amazing vistas, Bourbon Steak distinguishes itself with first-rate meat choices and a dry-aging method. Their selections of American and Japanese A5 Wagyu are the height of beef quality. Signature bone marrow crust, black truffle butter, Maine lobster and bearnaise improves any cut. For more info, read the beginning of the post.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Jeff Ruby blends strong steak credentials with theatrical flair. Their U.S.D.A. Prime steaks are aged extensively to improve softness and flavor. Together with tableside service components, the restaurant’s unique dishes and accompaniments produce a steakhouse experience that strikes a mix between history and modernism.
Harper’s
In the fine dining scene of Nashville, this recent arrival has become somewhat well-known. Harper’s, which is housed in SoBro, presents amazing seafood towers alongside outstanding steaks in an environment marked apart by unique brickwork, bold wallpaper, and chic design features. The restaurant’s approach strikes a mix between modern cooking methods and historical steakhouse customs. Although, the food was great, I felt like the music was too loud which took a way from having a romantic experience. We had a hard time conversing with each other.
Standout Cuts: 40-day dry-aged Porterhouse, Prime Ribeye, Japanese A5 Wagyu
Unique Offering: Prix fixe lunch option for a more accessible taste of luxury
Perfect Venues for Special Occasions
Some of you might be looking for a venue for a special occasion. Don’t worry, I got you.
Tailor Nashville
Inspired by his South Asian American background, chef Vivek Surti’s Germantown restaurant presents a dinner party-like atmosphere. The communal dining arrangement fosters a joyful environment ideal for events. Guests enjoy a set meal with attentive service and unique anecdotes behind each dish from Chef Surti herself Thursday through Sunday. Two seatings.
Special Occasion Perks: Chef interaction, communal celebration atmosphere
Private Options: Full buyout available for larger celebrations
Price: Tickets start at $125 per person
Rabbit Hole at Henley
The Rabbit Hole provides a secret chef’s table experience available through a hidden bookcase within Henley restaurant for a really unusual celebration. This wonderland-inspired environment offers a private area where Chopped champion chef Kristin Beringson develops entirely personalized multi-course dishes catered to your tastes and celebration demands.
Special Occasion Perks: Completely customized menu, hidden entrance experience
Private Options: Exclusive chef’s table for intimate celebrations
Price: Starting at $180 per person (custom drink pairing $85)
The Chef and I
Chris and Erica Rains’ Midtown hotspot, a husband and wife team, has several celebration options. Select from sirloin steaks to duck breast from the coursed tastings, which start at $95 per person or a la carte alternatives. Book one of their two-hour cooking lessons then a dinner reservation for an involved celebration.
Special Occasion Perks: Interactive cooking class options, flexible dining formats
Private Options: Semi-private dining areas available
Price: Tastings from $95 per person, a la carte options available
Global Culinary Excellence in Nashville
One of the many things that Nashville does well, is that Nashville’s high-end dining scene extends well beyond American and Southern cuisine. It offers exceptional international dining experiences that transport guests around the world through authentic and innovative dishes.
Peninsula
This restaurant is located in my favorite part of Nashville; East Nashville. It is quite intimate and has earned James Beard Award nominations for chef Jake Howell’s menu inspired by the Iberian Peninsula. The small, seasonal, shareable plates focus on local ingredients transformed through Spanish and Portuguese techniques. The beverage program features old-world wines and eight different varieties of Spanish-style gin and tonics.
Cuisine: Spanish/Portuguese-inspired
Must-Try Dishes: Smoked scallop and hamachi, chewy rice, seasonal endive preparations
Atmosphere: Intimate, neighborhood fine dining
Present Tense
This modern izakaya in Wedgewood Houston features Japanese-inspired dishes crafted with precision and creativity. Beyond the a la carte menu, the restaurant offers an exclusive omakase experience on Friday and Saturday nights. Chef Ryan Costanza presents a 14-course tasting at a six-seat bar, paired with wine and sake curated by partner Rick Margaritov.
Cuisine: Modern Japanese
Must-Try Dishes: Hokkaido scallop, bbq’d octopus, Iberico pork katsu, squid ink noodles
Atmosphere: Contemporary minimalist with Japanese influences
Edessa
Nestled in the center of Nashville, Edessa Restaurant presents a real trip across Kurdish and Turkish cuisine. My husband can’t stop talking about how amazing the food is. Edessa, which opened in 2018, has received praise for its traditional cuisine reflecting the varied gastronomic legacy of the area and strong flavors.
Cuisine: Kurdish and Turkish
Must-Try Dishes: Mixed Grill Kabobs
Atmosphere: Family friendly
Where Celebrities Dine in Nashville
You might be wondering, where celebrities dine in Nashville? Nashville’s status as a music industry hub means celebrities frequently dine at the city’s finest restaurants. These establishments combine exceptional cuisine with the discretion and service that high-profile guests appreciate.
The Catbird Seat
This culinary destination attracts music and entertainment industry elites seeking a unique dining experience away from the spotlight.
Notable Visitors: Taylor Swift, Jack White, various country music stars
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
While the cuisine satisfies the tastes of well-traveled VIP visitors, the 34th-floor perch of the restaurant provides both great vistas and privacy. For celebrities, the private dining rooms offer extra privacy.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
The restaurant’s walls feature music memorabilia, and owner Jeff Ruby is known for his relationships with sports and entertainment figures. Private dining rooms offer discretion for high-profile guests seeking privacy.
Notable Visitors: Country music stars, professional athletes, entertainment industry figures
Essential Tips for Nashville Fine Dining
We are coming to the end of our fine dinning journey. Before you go, I’ll leave you with a few tips. To make the most of Nashville’s high-end dining scene, consider these practical suggestions for securing reservations, understanding dress codes, and timing your visit for the optimal experience.
How far in advance should I make reservations?
For exclusive tasting menu experiences like The Catbird Seat, and Bastion, book 30-60 days in advance when reservations open. For steakhouses and other fine dining establishments, 2-3 weeks notice is recommended, especially for weekend dining. Special occasions and holiday periods require even earlier planning.
What’s the dress code at Nashville’s high-end restaurants?
Most upscale Nashville restaurants maintain a business casual to formal dress code. For steakhouses and fine dining establishments, men typically wear collared shirts and slacks (jackets often preferred but not always required), while women opt for dresses, skirts, or dress pants with elegant tops. Tasting menu restaurants may be slightly more relaxed but still expect smart attire. When in doubt, call ahead to confirm specific requirements.
When is the best time to dine for the optimal experience?
For the most attentive service, book early dinner reservations (5:30-6:30pm) when restaurants are less crowded. Midweek dining (Tuesday-Thursday) typically offers a more relaxed pace than busy weekends. For tasting menu experiences, earlier seatings often receive the freshest preparation and most detailed attention from the kitchen team.
Ready to Experience Nashville’s Finest Dining?
Many of Nashville’s most exclusive restaurants use reservation platforms that allow you to book well in advance. Secure your table today to avoid disappointment.Find Available Reservations
High End Restaurants in Nashville
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide. The next time you want to indulge in a great dinner in Nashville, these eateries offer experiences that go well beyond simple food, service, and ambiance to generate lifelong memories via cuisine, hospitality, and setting.
